STATE OF CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

DRINKING WATER SECTION

LIQUID CHEMICAL FEED SYSTEM DESIGN AND INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

Effective Date: 05/08/2008

Authority: Section 19-13-B102(d)(2) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (RCSA)

requires approval from the Department of treatment works prior to construction. In addition, Section
19-13-B80 of the RCSA requires the review and approval by the Department of plans and
specifications for any chemical treatment system. The following guidance is provided in the interest of
facilitating the approval process. Discretion in the application of these guidelines is allowable except
as required by regulation.

Definitions

(1) Chemical feed system: as used in these guidelines means a treatment system consisting
of, but not limited to, chemicals, bulk and/or day storage tanks, chemical metering pumps (typically
diaphragm or peristaltic positive displacement pumps), chemical feed lines, chemical injection taps,
etc. by which a chemical solution is added to treat drinking water supplied by a public water system.
Dry chemical feed systems (i.e. volumetric and gravimetric) and gaseous feed systems are not
specifically covered in these guidelines although some portions of these guidelines may be applicable
to those types of feed systems.

Chemicals

(1) All chemicals used to treat drinking water should be certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 60 or
approved equal. Grocery store and swimming pool store off-the-shelf products such as bleach and
calcium hypochlorite products should not be used unless certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 60 or
approved equal. Such products, if not appropriately certified, may contain fragrances, dyes, and other
undesirable ingredients that are not intended for human ingestion.

(2) All chemicals should conform to AWWA Standards if available.

Location

(1) Section 19-13-B102(d)(1) of the RCSA requires treatment plants to be located above the 100-
year flood elevation. When feasible, the foundation for treatment facilities should be located at least
three feet above the 100-year flood elevation. In addition, it is recommended that the finished floor
elevation of the treatment facility be located at least six inches above the final established grade
around the facility.

(2) Subsurface treatment facilities should be avoided whenever possible. If no other option is
feasible appropriate drainage should be provided to prevent flooding of the subsurface facility.

Sizing

(1) Section 19-13-B102(p) of the RCSA requires treatment facilities to have sufficient capacity to
provide flows in excess of the maximum flows experienced in the community public water system or
service area to be served by the treatment facility.

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LIQUID CHEMICAL FEED SYSTEM DESIGN AND INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

(2) In the absence of specific sizing criteria, the following general guidelines may be used to size
chemical feed systems:

(a) Large chemical feed systems, such as those found in surface water treatment plants or
large capacity wellfields, typically consist of bulk tanks, day tanks, and chemical metering
pumps. The following general equation can be used to determine the feed rate:

Feed Rate (lbs/day) = (dosage in ppm or mg/l) x (8.34) x (flow in MGD)

If the chemical concentration is expressed as a percent (i.e. 5.25% sodium hypochlorite), the
feed rate as calculated above is divided by the percent strength in decimal format (i.e. percent
strength / 100)

The feed rate can be expressed in gpd by the following equation:

Feed Rate in lbs/day

Feed Rate (gpd) =
density of solution in lbs/gal

(i) chemical metering pumps: the minimum feed rate is based on the minimum chemical
dosage and minimum daily flow. The maximum feed rate is based on the maximum chemical
dosage and maximum day flow (typically plant capacity). The metering pumps should have a
sufficient turndown ratio to cover the minimum and maximum feed rates. An alternative is to
provide two sets of metering pumps to cover the range of feed rates.
(ii) day tanks: maximum 30 hours of storage based on average dosage and average daily
demand.
(iii) bulk tanks: 30 days of bulk storage based on average dosage and maximum month
demand.

(b) Small groundwater public water system (PWS) treatment systems typically consist of a
solution tank (usually 30 - 55 gallons) and chemical metering pump(s). The following general
equation can be used for sizing chemical metering pumps for small PWSs:

Pump Feed Rate (gpd) =

(well pump output in gpm ) x (dosage in ppm) x (1440 )
(solution strength in ppm)
Note: a 1% solution is equivalent to 10,000 ppm.

Solution tanks for small groundwater PWS treatment systems generally are sized to hold one
weeks worth of solution.

Chemical metering pump feed rate is often expressed in gallons per hour (gph). To convert gpd into
gph simply divide the feed rate in gpd by 24. Refer to pump manufacturer for more specific or
additional sizing requirements. In general, it is recommended that the calculated feed rate fall near

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LIQUID CHEMICAL FEED SYSTEM DESIGN AND INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

the mid-setting of the selected metering pump (i.e. 50% stroke and speed for diaphragm pumps) to
allow for pump adjustment and future reserve capacity.

General

(1) Chemical feed systems should be designed and constructed to maintain the sanitary quality of
treated water. Chemical feed systems should be protected from rain, excessive dust, vermin, etc. to
ensure reliable operation, and they should be designed and constructed to ensure safety, reliability,
and ease of maintenance and repair. Adequate space should be provided around each chemical feed
system to allow for sufficient operation, cleaning, repair, and maintenance.

(2) Chemical feed systems should have adequate space for the installation of additional chemical
metering pumps, associated appurtenances, and tanks for future expansion.

(3) Fail safe provisions such as a flow switch wired in series with a chemical metering pump, or
equivalent, should be provided to prevent chemical overfeed during no flow situations. A metering
pump wired to the well pump motor starter as the only overfeed fail safe provision is not considered
acceptable. It is recommended that at a minimum, a flow switch in conjunction with a metering pump
wired to the well pump motor starter be provided. Metering pumps and well pumps should be on the
same electrical circuit.

(4) Chemical feed rates should be paced proportional to flow when source water flow rates are
variable. In addition, automatic controls to vary dosage based on parameter feedback (i.e. pH,
chlorine residual, etc.) should be provided. Automatic controls should have provisions to allow for
manual override. Flow pacing capability, or equivalent, should be provided whenever sources of
supply are throttled to prevent chemical overfeed in the event the throttling valve malfunctions or is
inadvertently moved out of position.

(5) Whenever possible, continuous analyzers and recorders should be installed with integrated
alarms especially for chlorination, pH adjustment, and fluoridation treatment applications. Appropriate
alarms should be transmitted to where they will be noticed by the individual(s) in charge of the
treatment facility. Alarms should include, at a minimum, parameter high and low readings (i.e.
chlorine residual, pH, etc.). Automatic shutdown of the chemical feed system, with the exception of
chlorination, during high or low alarm conditions should be provided. Continuous analyzers must use
approved testing methodologies in accordance with Section 19-13-B102(g) of the RCSA and the
Departments regulation clarification document titled Regulation Clarification for Operating Tests.
When only process chemicals are used, auto-analyzer discharge is not considered a source of
pollution and may be discharged into a drywell located at least 50 feet from the nearest public water
supply well when public sewers or a subsurface sewage disposal system are not available.

(6) If multiple chemicals are added, the sequence in which the chemicals are added should be
evaluated to ensure that the chemicals will not counteract each other. For example, sequestering
chemicals used for iron and manganese control should be added ahead of chlorine.

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(7) Chemicals that are not compatible should not be fed, stored, or handled together to prevent
undesirable chemical reactions and safety hazards. For example, dry calcium hypochlorite should not
be stored near organic materials or chemicals such as oil or gasoline products. Applicable Material
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) should be reviewed for each chemical used.

(8) Consideration should be given to chemicals that may oxidize minerals in water and any impact
to water quality.

(9) After injection of a chemical, satisfactory mixing by a static mixer or other means should be
provided to achieve maximum effectiveness and uniform mixing. In addition, some chemicals may
require adequate contact time.

(10) A separate mixing tank, feed line, and injection tap should be used for each chemical applied.

(11) Chemical feed lines should be clearly labeled or color coded.

(12) Chemical feed systems should not be located on top of finished water storage facilities or on
top of well pits.

(13) Smooth nosed (threadless) sample taps should be installed, at a minimum, to allow for the
collection of water quality samples representative of treated and untreated water (i.e. before and after
the chemical injection point). All sample taps should be installed pointed downward and at least 12
inches above any possible high water level.

(14) Appropriate safety equipment such as eyewash stations, showers, warning signs, gloves,
goggles, aprons, etc. should be provided.

(15) Plumbing components of the treatment facility should conform to the state plumbing code
where applicable.

(16) Heating, ventilation, and dehumidification should be provided to ensure efficient and reliable
operation of all equipment.

(17) Emergency power should be provided.

(18) Locked fencing should be provided around the perimeter of the facility to prevent trespassing,
vandalism, and sabotage. Unauthorized entrance alarms should be provided.

Materials

(1) Chemical feed system components should not cause the water delivered to the customers to
become impure, unhealthy, and non-potable, produce aesthetic problems such as taste and odors, or
promote bacterial growth after being placed into active service. Chemical feed lines, bulk and day
chemical tanks, etc. should be certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 61. Plastic trash cans will not be

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considered as acceptable for storage of chemicals since plastic trash cans may contain ingredients
not made for human ingestion.

(2) Chemical feed system components should be compatible with the chemicals that will be used
and should be resistant to corrosion.

Chemical Metering Pumps

(1) Chemical metering pumps should be able to accurately and reliably supply at all times the
required dosage of chemical. Variable range of feed should be taken into consideration when
selecting chemical metering pumps. In addition, chemical metering pumps will need to be able to
pump chemicals at a pressure higher than the pressure in the line into which the chemicals are
injected.

(2) Whenever feasible a minimum of two chemical metering pumps should be provided for
redundancy for each chemical treatment process especially for critical treatment processes such as
disinfection. If only one chemical metering pump is provided a spare pump should be kept on site as
a backup. Spare parts should also be kept on site.

(3) Chemical metering pumps should be located as close as possible to the point of injection to
minimize the length of chemical feed lines.

(4) Provisions should be made to protect metering pumps from air binding (losing prime) and
damage to appurtenances if pumping chemicals that readily off gas such as sodium hypochlorite.

(5) Diaphragm pumps should be operated in a flooded suction configuration whenever possible
especially if used for pumping off-gassing chemicals.

(6) Chemical metering pump suction lines should be straight and short as possible without loops
to prevent air entrapment.

(7) If make-up water used for preparing chemical solutions has elevated levels of hardness,
treatment should be provided to prevent scale formation inside the metering pump components.

Chemical Metering Pump Appurtenances

(1) An anti-siphon protection valve should be provided on the metering pump discharge line.

(2) Positive displacement chemical metering pumps should have a downstream pressure relief
valve located prior to the first shut-off valve. The pressure relief valve should discharge to the
chemical day tank.

(3) A back pressure control valve should be provided on the metering pump discharge line.

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LIQUID CHEMICAL FEED SYSTEM DESIGN AND INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

(4) A bleed valve should be provided with the discharge directed into the chemical storage tank.

Note: Typically a 4-in-1, 4-function, or multi-function valve combines the functions of items 1-4
above.

(5) Calibration cylinders or equivalent should be provided on the suction side of the chemical
metering pump between the solution tank and the metering pump to allow for routine checks and
calibration of chemical feed pump outputs. Calibration cylinders should be vented to the chemical day
tank.

(6) Pulsation dampeners or expansion chambers should be provided on the discharge side of the
metering pumps to minimize surges which may damage chemical feed lines.

(7) Strainers should be provided on the metering pump suction feed lines.

(8) Chemical injection valves should have a check valve to prevent back flow.

(9) Chemical injection tips should be installed in the center of the pipe and should not be installed
in a pipe stub to prevent chemical buildup and scaling.

(10) Foot valves should be provided on the end of the suction line for metering pumps utilizing
suction lift. Foot valves should be located 3-6 inches from the bottom of the solution tank, or as
recommended by the manufacturer, to prevent solids from fouling the metering pump.

Chemical Storage General

(1) Chemical spill containment should be provided to contain accidental spills of chemicals.
Whenever feasible containment areas should be capable of containing the full amount of chemical
stored. At a minimum, containment should be sufficient to contain 110 percent of the volume of the
largest chemical storage tank.

(2) Storage of chemicals should be under dry conditions.

(3) Corrosive chemicals should be kept away from equipment susceptible to corrosion damage.

(4) Space should be provided for at least 30 days of chemical supply.

(5) Adequate ventilation should be provided for the area in which chemicals are stored.

(6) Chemicals should not be stored past their useful life. Chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite
lose their strength the longer they are stored.

(7) Special consideration should be given to storage of chemicals, such as sodium hypochlorite,
that are temperature and light sensitive to minimize degradation.

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LIQUID CHEMICAL FEED SYSTEM DESIGN AND INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

(8) Provisions should be made to measure the quantity of chemicals used by a scale, level
indicator, or equivalent.

Chemical Storage Bulk and Day Tanks

(1) Chemical storage tanks should be constructed of materials compatible with the chemical to be
stored.

(2) Chemical storage tanks should have a liquid level indicator (i.e. translucent tank with
gradations or sight glass).

(3) Chemical storage tanks should have screened vents to the outside, overflows, and drains.
Overflows that discharge into an indoor containment area should be provided with a liquid trap.

(4) Chemical storage tanks should be covered to prevent dust, debris, and insects from falling into
the tanks.

(5) Chemical storage tanks should be clearly labeled indicating the name of the chemical that will
be stored.

(6) Large chemical storage tanks with access openings on top should have such openings curbed
and fitted with overlapping covers.

(7) Chemical storage tanks should not be buried.

(8) Transfer of chemicals from bulk tanks to day tanks, either by transfer pumps or gravity line,
should be provided with a fail safe deadman switch, deadman valve, or equivalent.

(9) Day tanks should be provided whenever large volume bulk tanks are utilized to prevent
overfeed of bulk chemicals.

(10) Tanks that will store chemicals that may crystallize should have outlets located at least 6-12
inches from the tank bottom to prevent crystals from damaging pumping equipment.

(11) Mixers should be provided where necessary for solutions.

(12) Bulk tanks that are filled from the outside should have locked and clearly identified fill ports. In
addition it is recommended that different size fill ports and connection fittings be used for each
chemical to prevent accidental fillings of wrong chemicals during deliveries.

(13) All chemicals should be mixed and fed separately so that chemicals are not combined in the
same day tank.

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LIQUID CHEMICAL FEED SYSTEM DESIGN AND INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

Cross Connection Control

(1) Appropriate cross connection control measures shall be implemented as necessary in

accordance with Section 19-13-B38a of the RCSA especially for carrying water lines and make-up
water lines for solution tanks.

(2) There shall not be any piping bypass around a chemical feed system between untreated and
treated water if the untreated water does not meet finished water standards (i.e. MCL violation) in
accordance with Sections 19-13-B37 and 19-13-B38a of the RCSA.

(3) Where chemicals are fed to both raw and finished water, completely separate chemical feed
systems should be provided.

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